Minority Leader: 60 Lawmakers Reject Move for Fresh Election

G-60 lawmakers rejected calls for a fresh Minority Leader election, insisting Ikenga Ugochinyere remains the validly nominated candidate and urging authorities to complete signature verification and recognise his nomination.

The leadership tussle within the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives took a fresh twist on Saturday as members of the G-60 Caucus rejected calls for a new election to fill the position of Minority Leader.

The lawmakers insisted that Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere remains the validly nominated candidate for the office, arguing that the nomination process had already been concluded in line with established procedures.

According to the group, Ugochinyere secured the backing of an overwhelming majority of minority lawmakers during the nomination exercise, making any demand for a fresh election unnecessary and contrary to the wishes of caucus members.

The G-60 Caucus maintained that the only pending issue is the verification of signatures submitted in support of the nomination. The lawmakers stressed that once the verification process is completed, the nomination should be formally recognised and implemented.

They argued that reopening the process through another election could undermine the democratic decision already reached by members of the caucus and create further divisions within the opposition bloc in the House.

The lawmakers reaffirmed their support for Ugochinyere and called on relevant authorities to respect the outcome of the nomination process. They noted that the majority position of minority members should be upheld in the interest of fairness and stability within the caucus.

The development adds another dimension to the ongoing debate over the leadership of the Minority Caucus, with different groups advancing competing positions on how the office should be filled.

Observers believe the resolution of the dispute will play a key role in shaping opposition politics within the House of Representatives and determining the direction of the caucus in the coming months.

The G-60 lawmakers, however, remained firm in their position, insisting that the nomination process has been concluded and that the focus should now be on verifying the submitted signatures and finalising the appointment of the Minority Leader.